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DERAILMENT AT KINGHAM

The accident report describes the derailment of the last coach of a passenger train resulting in blockage of lines in both directions. Investigation showed that stretcher bar nuts had been removed from a switching unit permitting free movement of the switchblade. Vibration of the passing train caused movement of the switchblade and subsequent derailment of the last coach. Conclusions reached were: (1) a ganger had removed the nuts while preparing the switch for removal, (2) prime responsibility rests on the ganger with the realization that other members of the gang must have known what was done and should have realized the danger.